Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-26
HOTEL DEL MONTE.
Simmons Acquitted of the
Charge of Arson.
THE EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT.
Resume of the Circumstances Con-
nected with the Origin of
the Fire.

Associated Press Dispatches, to the HERALD
SALINAS, Cal, June 25.-Attorney
Delmas continued his argument for the
defense in Simmons case this, forenoon,
following up his attack of yeste rdsy on
the railroad company and the methods
which have been employed in the prose-
cution of the defendant. During the
course of his remarks, he said: ''This
whole prosecution is fabric Of iniq uity
and rot,enness and will fall by its own
weight. Every rightful influence and
some not right will be brought to
bear on the jury. Why are strange
characters investing the town until .
verdict is given, and why ara they
dodging every footstep. But it is your
duty to find verdict without fear. or
without currying favor with this gigantic
corporation so potent for good or evil in
this State"
During, the progress of Dslmas'
speech, Kapp, who had been engineer
at the Del Monte Hotel, yelled "Rats I"
He was arrested for contempt of Court,
and sent to Jail.
H. v. Morehouse. for the prosecu-
ton, then made the closing speech.
mot one jot of evidence" he con-
tended, "shows that previous to the
night Of the fire the water pipes in or
about the building were out of rder.
There were no matches. stoves or fues
in the locality of the circulating room.
The fire was deliberately planned. The
State," he said, "could not prove by
direct testimony that Simmons applied
the torch, buJ every circumstances
pointed him out as the criminal. He
was to have gone on the day before, but
remained on the improbable ground
that he wished to say farewell to his
friends. The time o. night when the
fire broke out was suspicious. Every
witness agreed that the water would
not run, yet the tank was found full ON
the following day, establishing the fact
of manipulation without question"
SUMMING UP.
Morehouse closed for the prosecution
at 3:45 P. M. and the judge delivered the
charge to the jury. The jury retired
and seven minutes afterwards o loud
knocking was heard from wherethey were
confined and the sheriff hurried into the
court and said, "Your Honor, the jury
have agreed" Before the jury entered
Judge Alexander raised his hand and
said, II want it distinctly understood
that no matter what the verdict may be.
no demonstration in this court will be
countenanced.
THE VERDICT.
The jury filed in aud their verdict was
read amid rapt silence. When the
words mot guilty" fell on Simmons ear
ne did indeed turn ashy pale. His at
torney, Delmas, grasped the defen-
dant's hand, and the latter turned
around and began comforting his wife.
The scene was most affecting and
large percentage of the ladies in the
court were weeping. As the jurors
passed by Simmons they shook nands
with him and rendered their congratula.
tions.
RESUME OF THE AFFAIR.
The Hotel Del Monte, situated in
Monterey, was one of the principal sum-
mer resorts of the coast and was o splen-
structure. costing about $500, 900. About
fire was discovered in the building. The
water works and apparatus, probably
the most complete private works in the
State, were unaccountably out of order
and all efforts to save the buildings
proved futile. The hotel was crowded
at the time and it was a miracle that
nobody was seriously injured. Next
day the people who had been SO ruth
lessly burned out of their luxurious
lodgings, presented a truly pitiable ap-
pearance as they flied into the San Fran
cisco hotels. Their apparel was of the
scantiest order and many of the ladies
knew for the first time what it is to suf-
fer for lack of clothing. Thousands
of dollars worth of jewelry were
lost in the fire, one lady alone losing
over $40. 900 worth of diamonds. The
hotel was the property OF the Pacific
Improvement Company. There were
many rumors afioat regarding the origin
of the fire, most of them agreeing that
it was inceDdiary. The company's de-
tectives had been busily investigating,
with the result that + L. Nj. Simmons,
tne IoTiher HaubSeT VI INC uotei, was
arrested and charged with arson. 1t
was alleged that Simmons was short in
his accounts and that the desire to con-
ceal this. together with motives Of re-
venge on account of his removal, in
spred him to do the deed. Opinion was
about equally divided as to his inno-
cence or guilt. The evidence produced
by the prosecution was purely circum-
stantial and the defense did not pro-
duce any testimony in rebuttal, resting
their case on the ground that the prose-